"Father-in-law, I thought that you would return a little later." Chu Ling spoke while helping the elder to a comfortable seat.Obviously, the man was old, but he did not need help. However, he did not turn away the good will from his daughter-in-law. Once he settled down, he looked at the room in surprise. It seemed that there was something going on. What had he walked into?
"I managed to come back to the city a little earlier." The elder spoke with a casual tone. "But it seems like I am intruding on something."
His eyes looked particularly at his grandson and the two women. "His wonderful grandson wasn"t forsaking the teachings of the family and starting a harem, was he?" He wondered in his heart. That would not do.
It should be known that Elder Zhong had had too much time since his retirement as chairman, and he might gained an interest in entertaining things like web novels and manga among other things. So, his mind was a confused mess between an old man and an overly imaginative otaku.
"You like to joke, father-in-law. Song Lili came to see us and bring some presents, and Feng"er came by with his friend." Chu Ling explained.
Elder Zhong looked around the room and found the items. He also noticed the box of tea on the table.
"Did she also bring this stuff?" Elder Zhong leaned and took the box in his hand.
Chu Ling felt a little awkward about this matter. Elder Zhong had always hated medical supplements the most. He believed that if you needed nutrients, you could get them from food. She did not want Song Lili to take the blame for the gift, but she felt it was not right to just expose the Hu girl.
However, she did not have a chance to give a perfunctory response.
"Grandfather, Hu Lei brought it." Zhong Feng spoke up unexpectedly.
Usually, Zhong Feng was reserved before his parents because he did not know how to interact with them on a normal level. This was the reason he did not talk to them about his life or visit his childhood home frequently. It was also this awkwardness between them that had caused him to move out of the home as soon as he had turned eighteen.
However, when it came to his old grandpa, he felt like he could talk to him normally and even treat him as a friend. He was the only close family member who did not still see him as that sickly young boy he had been, struggling for life for years. He saw him for who he had become.
"Oooh, which of these two young ladies is Hu Lei?" Elder Zhong asked in teasing.
Zhong Feng stood up and brought Hu Lei along before his grandfather with a small smile.
"Grandpa, this is my girlfriend, Hu Lei." He introduced in a good mood. He felt that this was a good moment to ensure that everyone understood his intentions.
Elder Zhong looked at the girl with unconcealed curiosity. And Hu Lei liked him immediately. He did not seem to have a façade over his face or eyes. Though he was most likely a crafty old fox, he did not make her feel like he was concealing his real self behind a mask.
"Nice to meet you, grandfather." She said with a genuine toothy grin, very much unlike the polite smiles she gave earlier.
The old man nodded with a happy tint in his eyes. It seemed that he had misjudged his grandson. He, at least, had the decency to choose a woman and declare it openly and proudly. Still, this girl seemed unlike what he would expect from the brat"s girlfriend.
"This is some good stuff." He placed the box beside him. "I shall receive it because some people might end up wasting it."
The sideways glance he cast towards his son and his wife was a little sardonic. The gaze and the sharp words made the two feel awkward. They had lost some face before the younger generation. However, what could they say? They still did not understand clearly what was in the package.
"It"s nothing much." Hu Lei responded modestly. After all, she did not spend even a cent.
Chu Ling felt that the evening was spiralling out of control. She had invited Song Lili because she felt that the girl was accomplished, had good character and could match up to Zhong Feng. Moreover, she had known that the elder was coming back for a short visit. Therefore, it was the perfect opportunity for the Lili to show off her good character.
If the elder had a good impression of Song Lili, there would be a greater chance of creating a real connection between the two kids. Who knew that Feng"er would come back with the girl without warning? Now, it was obvious that things would not go smoothly.
Chu Ling looked meaningfully at Song Lili. The girl immediately got the hint. When the couple returned to their seats, she also came to the elder and bowed appropriately.
"Grandfather, I am Song Lili. Zhong Feng is my childhood friend." She spoke with elegance.
Elder Zhong was not a good tempered person. Otherwise, he would not have been able to further the business left by his father, and cause it to expand exponentially. Also, he had a keener intuition when it came to people. In addition, he could be as difficult and unreasonable like any other old man.
Unlike his son and daughter-in-law, he would see beyond the surface. He could definitely tell that Song Lili was a fox with numerous hidden tails. He would hire this type of person for business. However, you could never trust someone like this in the family.
"How am I your grandfather?" He asked, folding his hands over his chest with sudden dissatisfaction.
Chu Ling wanted to intervene because she knew that her father-in-law could be difficult when he wanted to be. He could make one cry tears of bitterness without raising his voice. Moreover, there never seemed to be a pattern to his mood swings. However, Zhong Tian placed his hand over hers and prevented her from talking carelessly.
"I apologise for offending you, Elder Zhong. I have just returned from abroad and have forgotten my manners." Song Lili apologised sincerely and did not show a trace of awkwardness.
Hu Lei wanted to stand up and applaud the woman. If she had her skills, she would not need to use her fists so often like a crude man. Song Lili seemed to have thought about numerous endings in her head during interactions and planned for each. It was impossible to corner her.
Elder Zhong huffed and waved her away. As he had expected, she was a dangerous fox. He could not help worrying about his grandson"s girlfriend. The girl was not only short and cute; she also seemed like a little rabbit.
How could she defend against this type of woman with nine tails and one thousand stratagems?